Help with Rapid Prototyping Services specifications:

Stereolithography uses an ultraviolet laser for curing. A platform that moves vertically contains a vat of photosensitive resin. The part under construction is supported by the platform, which moves downward to create each layer by a specified layer thickness (typically, 0.1 mm / 0.004 inches). A laser beam traces the shape of each layer and hardens the photosensitive resin.

Room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) molding and urethane casting are accurate, cost-effective ways to make multiple parts. Typically, the procedure for RTV molding and urethane casting includes the following steps: 1) produce one or more high-quality stereolithography parts, 2) produce a rubber mold using the stereolithography parts, and 3) produce accurate, multiple parts using a castable material in a rubber mold.

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a 3D printing process based on sintering. A computer-directed laser beam is selectively applied to the surface of a metallic or non-metallic powder in order to produce a solid or surface model.

Rapid injection molding uses a solid model file (either scanned or designed) to generate a CNC file. A mold is then cut from a soft material such as aluminum and used to produce small quantities of the part.

Three dimensional printing (3DP) starts by depositing a layer of powder at the top of a fabrication chamber. The upward incremental movement of a piston dispenses the measured quantity of powder from a supply chamber. A roller then distributes and compresses the powder at the top of the fabrication chamber. Subsequently, a multi-channel jetting head deposits a liquid adhesive in a two-dimensional pattern onto the powder layer. This bonds the powder together and forms a layer of the object. When a layer is completed, the fabrication piston moves downward by the thickness of the layer. This process is repeated until the entire object is formed within the powder bed. Upon completion, the object is elevated and the extra powder brushed away, leaving a "green" object. No external supports are required during fabrication since the powder bed supports overhangs. Three-dimensional printing offers speedy fabrication and low material cost. In fact, 3DP is probably the fastest of all RP methods. Recently, color outputs have become available; however, there are limitations in terms of resolution, surface finish, part fragility and available materials. The closest competitor to 3DP is probably fused deposition modeling (FDM).

Polyjet (PJET) uses an application head to apply an ultraviolet-photosensitive resin onto the build tray. The applied resin is then immediately cured or hardened by a UV light source. PJET creates parts by building layers that are approximately 0.016 mm or 0.0006 inches thick.

Rapid metal casting involves the shaping of free-flowing liquid metals through the use of dies, molds or patterns in order to produce a prototype. These prototypes are used to eliminate design flaws and test the form, fit, and function of the test piece before mass production begins.

Laminated object manufacturing (LOM) manufactures 3D objects based on 3D geometric data. The starting point is the object's sliced data, which is used for controlling a laser beam that cuts the contours of foil materials. During LOM, these foils are glued together and the desired model is created layer by layer.

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is an ”additive” technology that works by sintering very fine layers of metal powders layer-by-layer from the bottom up until the build is complete. The final part is metal. The method uses high power laser beam to produce metal parts in a single process.

Ballistic particle manufacturing (BPM) uses 3-D data about a solid model to position streams of material on a target. 3-D objects are generated in a way that is comparable to how inkjet printers produce 2D images.

All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

Companies assist with concepts, manufacturing costs, manufacturing techniques and material considerations. Companies may also be able to assist in upgrading or redesigning, re-evaluating or modernizing existing products to increase performance and/or reduce manufacturing costs.

All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

Products with the selected attribute will be returned as matches. Leaving or selecting "No Preference" will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.